CVE-2026-81699
openssl_encrypt before 1.4.9 Denial of Service via unbounded KDF cost
- State
- Published
- Severity
- 8.7 High
- Published
- Aug 27, 2026
- Updated
- Oct 1, 2026
- Reserved
- Aug 27, 2026
Description
openssl_encrypt versions before 1.4.9 fail to properly validate key derivation function costs in crafted files, allowing attackers to trigger unbounded memory and CPU exhaustion during pre-authentication processing. Attackers can supply malicious files with excessive KDF parameters to exhaust system resources and crash or wedge the process before password verification occurs.
Scores
| CVSS | Score | Vector | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4.0 | 8.7 High | CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:N/VC:H/VI:N/VA:N/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N | VulnCheck |
| 3.1 | 7.5 High | CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N | VulnCheck |
Weaknesses
- CWE-770 Allocation of Resources Without Limits or Throttling
Affected Products
| Product | Versions |
|---|---|
openssl_encryptjahlives |
|
References
- GitHub Security Advisory (GHSA-phmr-p567-q5g6)vendor-advisory
- VulnCheck Advisory: openssl_encrypt before 1.4.9 Denial of Service via unbounded KDF costthird-party-advisory
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